Valley City State University Music Online Program Q & A’s Q: Can I qualify for federal aid? A: You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Please keep in mind that the info will not load to VCSU unless you have applied for admission as a ‘degree seeking’ student. Q: What if I already have a four-­‐year degree? Can I still get aid? A: Although a little more complicated process, there still is a possibility that you might qualify. The attached form needs to be completed by the student and a VCSU advisor before it is sent to the Financial Aid Office with a necessary ‘required’ course list: http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/139/671efcc6_ko6.pdf?1373917584 Q: How many credits per semester do I need to register for aid consideration? A: A minimum of six (6) credits is required. Q: What if I have the opportunity to take some of the ‘required’ courses from another institution can I still get aid consideration? A: First it is important to remember that each semester you ‘must’ enroll for at least one course at the ‘home’ (VCSU) campus. Then if you plan to take course(s) from an institution(s) that is part of the eleven North Dakota University System state schools, you will need to enroll through the ‘collaborative’ process. The process can be found at: http://www.vcsu.edu/registrar/vp.htm?p=671 At no time should a student enroll for a course that is not ‘required’ for the degree (from any institution). Q: What if I want to take a course(s) from a school not in the NDSU system but the course is required for my degree? A: Enrollment consideration can still be given by completing the Consortium Agreement – Distance Ed found at: http://www.vcsu.edu/cmsfiles/139/distance_xl8.pdf?1373918123 It is important to remember that this form must be completed by the Financial Aid Office of the ‘host’ campus before it is faxed to 701-­‐845-­‐7410. It is critical to keep in mind that not all colleges will agree to sign a Consortium Agreement. Should they fail to do so the course(s) can’t be counted for aid consideration by VCSU. Q: What if I find it necessary to drop a course from a ‘host’ campus during the semester? Do I need to be concerned? A: Federal aid is given to help you obtain your planned degree. Dropping a course can have severe implications if not handled properly. Should you drop a ‘host’ course you should IMMEDIATELY notify the VCSU Financial Aid Office (701-­‐
845-­‐7412) of the withdrawal and the date. Q: Do I have any other obligations to be concerned about? A: Every semester that you take courses from a ‘host’ campus, you are required to have a transcript sent from the ‘host’ campus to VCSU once grades are complete at the end of the semester. Since this is required for Satisfactory Progress evaluation, no aid will be disbursed for another semester until your grades have been evaluated. 7/15/2013